Initiative: Expanding Debate

JUDL was founded because competitive debate is a unique and effective bridge to successful collegiate and professional career paths. We personally take account for assisting each debater achieves admissions to a college or university. Our dedication to each student creates a sense of community and a support system for debaters for the rest of their lives.

Many students in urban areas lack opportunities that are key to developing their intellect, confidence, and ambition. Students are left to themselves to find their own internal drive, never even made aware of what an enriched world awaits them. Through the development of an extensive education program, we develop global thinkers and create opportunities for success.

How We Do It

The JUDL hosts six Saturday tournaments for our high school conference and four for our middle grades conference. Each debater competes in at least 3 individual debates at each tournament with each high school debate lasting 1 1/2 hours and each middle grades debate 40 minutes.

In addition to hosting local tournaments, JUDL provides logistical support and resources for our debaters to complete in 20 state, regional and national tournaments. For most students, it is during these tournaments ranging from the NJ state championship tournament in Basking Ridge to prestigious national invitationals at Princeton, Yale, Harvard and Emory universities that the possibilities of higher education are realized.